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BIOGRAPHICAL  SERIES  No.  6. 


August,  1851. 

•/psi 


September,  1887. 


Mrs.  I 


Flora  B.  Lightfoot  Lord 


WOMAN  S  BAPTIST  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY, 


OF  THE  WEST. 


‘They  have  but  left  our  weary  ways 
To  live  in  memory  here,  in  heaven  by  love  and  praise.’ 


CHICAGO: 

. I  AMES  G  U 1  LB EItT,  P HI  NT  KK , 

1889. 


1  1 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SERIES  No.  6. 


August,  1851. 


September,  1887. 

✓Js. 


Mrs.  Flora 


B.  Lightfoot  Lord- 


woman’s  BAPTIST  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY, 

OF  THE  WEST. 


“They  have  but  left  our  weary  ways 
To  live  in  memory  here,  in  heaven  by  love  and  praise.” 


CHICAGO: 

JAMES  GUILBERT,  PRINTER, 

1889. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet, Archive 
in  2018  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/mrsflorablightfoOOwoma 


MRS.  FLORA  B.  LIGHTFOOT  LORD, 


“Sympathy  must  call  her  in  Love’s  name,  and  then,  I  know, 

She  rises  up;  and  brightens  as  she  should, 

And  lights  her  smile  for  comfort,  and  is  slow 
In  nothing  of  high-hearted  fortitude. 

To  smell  this  flower,  come  near  it,  such  can  grow 
In  that  sole  garden  where  Christ’s  brow  dropped  blood.” 

We  recognize  in  these  lines  of  Mrs.  Browning,  the  picture 
of  those  self-forgetful  lives,  that  are  prompted  by  the  spirit 
and  example  of  Christ.  The  Woman’s  Baptist  Foreign  Mis¬ 
sionary  Society  of  the  West  adds  another  name  to  the  list  of 
honored  women,  who  in  work  for  the  Master  have  been  faith¬ 
ful  unto  death,  and  whose  fragrant  memory  it  would  per¬ 
petuate. 

Although  those  who  have  received  the  promised  crown  of 
life,  do  not  need  our  humble  meed  of  praise,  yet  we  who  still 
remain  to  bear  the  toils  and  joys  of  service,  may  find  in  these 
records  of  consecrated  lives,  encouragements  to  greater  fidelity 
and  earnestness. 

Oui  sister  whose  life  history  we  here  trace,  was  one  whose 
sympathy  with  the  ignorant  and  sinful,  led  her  to  give  her  life 
to  brighten  the  dark  places  of  the  earth. 

Flora  B.  Lightfoot  was  born  Aug.  15,  1851,  at  Quincy,  Ill., 
the  youngest  of  a  family  of  eight  children.  While  yet  too 
young  to  realize  her  loss,  she  was  left  without  a  mother’s  love 
and  care.  So  earnest  and  consistent  had  been  this  mother’s 


4 


Christian  life,  that  its  influence  was  ever  felt  and  acknowl¬ 
edged.  In  one  of  her  letters  Flora  writes,  “I  cannot  remem¬ 
ber  the  time  I  did  not  love  to  pray.  My  mother  must  have 
taught  me  as  soon  as  I  could  lisp  the  name  of  Jesus.”  When 
twelve  years  of  age,  she  was  seriously  impressed  by  the  death 
of  a  sister,  who  died  in  the  triumph  of  Christian  hope  and 
faith.  Her  last  words  were  “Think  of  Heaven,”  and  with  her 
face  radiant  with  joy  she  passed  away. 

Of  these  early  spiritual  impressions,  Miss  Lightfoot  writes 
again,  “I  could  not  tell  the  time  that  I  was  not  conscious  of 
the  desire  to  be  a  Christian,  but  now,  it  was  stronger  than  ever 
before.” 

“My  interest  and  sympathy  for  the  heathen  began  early  in 
my  childhood.  Even  then,  I  longed  to  go  to  the  lands 
beyond  the  sea,  and  tell  of  a  Risen  Savior.”  Somewhat  later, 
but  still  before  her  conversion  she  went  with  a  friend  to  hear 
a  sermon  by  a  representative  of  the  Missionary  Union.  She 
surprised  her  friend  by  the  exclamation,  “Well,  I  am  disap¬ 
pointed.  I  thought  I  was  going  to  hear  a  missionary.  I 
wanted  so  much  to  see  a  live  missionary.  I  would  love  to  be 
a  missionary  myself,  but  then  you  know,  one  who  is  in  the 
darkness,  cannot  give  light  to  others.” 

Concerning  these  early  impressions,  Miss  Lightfoot  writes, 
“I  had  no  practical  plan  to  carry  out,  or  any  definite  object  in 
view,  I  only  felt  that  teachers  were  needed  there,  to  show  the 
heathen  the  way  of  life.  And  having  been  on  my  heart  from 
early  childhood,  it  has  become  a  part  of  my  very  life.”  Thus 
she  recognized  that  these  early  convictions  of  duty  toward  the 
heathen  were  as  truly  a  part  of  her  Heavenly  Father’s  leading, 
as  the  later  promptings  of  the  Spirit. 


5 


At  the  age  of  seventeen,  another  sister  died,  she  also  was  a 
sincere  Christian,  and  died,  with  the  words,  UA11  is  well,  Jesus 
is  mine,”  upon  her  lips.  Three  months  later  a  brother  died, 
and  within  a  year  her  grandmother  was  called  to  join  the 
departed  ones  in  their  heavenly  home. 

Concerning  the  effect  of  these  repeated  bereavements  upon 
her  own  heart,  Miss  Lightfoot  writes,  “Such  heavy  strokes  in 
quick  succession,  and  I,  ?iot  a  Christian,  and  yet  burdened 
more  than  ever,  that  I  am  not.  How  often  God  in  infinite 
wisdom  uses  harsh  measures!  How  true  it  is,  that 

‘  Afflictions  though  they  seem  severe 
In  mei’cy  oft  are  sent; 

They  checked  the  prodigal’s  career, 

And  caused  him  to  repent.’  ” 

Upon  the  removal  of  the  family  to  La  Grange,  Mo.,  in 
1871,  Miss  Lightfoot  entered  the  La  Grange  Baptist  College. 
She  was  an  earnest  and  conscientious  student,  though  pre¬ 
vented  from  completing  her  course  until  1876.  Of  this  time, 
she  writes,  “I  did  so  enjoy  my  school  life,  and  all  that  per¬ 
tained  to  it.  I  tried  to  shake  off  the  feeling  that  I  must  be  a 
Christian,  that  yearning  to  belong  to  my  Heavenly  Father,  that 
had  followed  me,  like  a  persistent  shadow  from  my  cliilhood. 
I  tried  hard  to  persuade  myself  that  I  was  not  responsible  for 
my  sold,  and  that  it  was  my  duty  to  devote  my  care  and  atten¬ 
tion  to  the  cultivation  of  my  mental  powers.  The  tempter 
even  whispered  that  the  Atonement  was  sufficient,  without 
need  of  any  sacrifice  on  my  part.  What  straws  I  did  attempt 
to  catch  at;  how  vain  too,  and  I  knew  it  all  the  time.  I  only 
mention  it  to  show  how  much  I  needed  the  redeeming  power 
of  just  such  a  Savior.  But  the  Holy  Spirit  still  tenderly  in- 


6 


terceded  for  me.”  Her  pastor  Rev.  Mr.  Beasom  was  instru¬ 
mental  in  leading  her  to  see  that  she  needed  no  longer  to  bear 
the  burden  of  sin.  Her  conversion  took  place  in  the  winter 
of  1874.  When  finally  the  assurance  of  peace  through  Jesus 
Christ  came  to  her,  her  whole  soul  went  out  in  thanks¬ 
giving  to  God,  and  plans  to  serve  Him.  She  writes,  “I  felt 
now,  that  I  really  must  go  and  tell  others  of  the  Savior  I  had 
found.  My  heart  was  irresistibly  drawn  to  the  heathen.  I 
earnestly  inquired,  what  the  Lord  would  have  me  do,  and  I 
thank  Him  for  having  so  plainly  taught  me  that  I  must  give 
up  home,  country,  kindred,  and  all  that  makes  life  dear  to  me, 
to  go  forth  and  teach  those  who  have  never  heard  His  blessed 
name.  Though  I  was  overwhelmed  with  a  sense  of  my  own 
weakness,  yet  I  felt  that  God  was  my  strength  and  a  very 
present  help.” 

Thus  God  prepared  a  chosen  instrument  for  His  own  use, 
one  who  could,  through  personal  experience  of  redeeming 
love,  be  a  witness  to  others. 

Her  pastor’s  helpful  sympathy,  and  her  father’s  consent, 
confirmed  her  belief,  that  this  was  the  work,  her  Heavenlv 
Father  had  given  her  to  do.  She  was  permitted  to  be  with 
her  father  in  his  last  sickness,  and  his  burial  left  her  with  one 
tie  less,  to  bind  her  heart  to  her  home,  though,  as  she  said, 
“La  G  range  holds  for  me,  many  tender  ties — brother,  other 
relatives,  Christian  friends,  church,  and  last,  yet  not  least — my 
father’s  grave.”  July  15,  1S78,  Miss  Lightfoot  was  accepted 
as  a  candidate  for  appointment  to  missionary  service,  but  her 
going  was  delayed  for  a  year,  owing  to  the  condition  of  the 
treasury  of  the  Society  of  the  West. 

This  interval  was  spent  in  Quincy,  Ill.,  at  Dr.  Fairchild’s 


7 


Hygeian  Home — in  the  belief  that  the  knowledge  she  could 
gain  there,  would  be  an  invaluable  preparation  for  her  work 
abroad.  A  friend  who  formed  her  acquaintance  at  this  time, 
and  in  whose  home  several  months  were  spent  shortly  before 
leaving  for  China,  writes,  “She  even  went  into  the  kitchen  to 
learn  how  to  cook  healthfully ;  and  it  was  there,  that  I  first 
saw  the  gentle  lovely  face  of  Miss  Lightfoot,  and  from  that 
moment  I  was  drawn  towards  her.  She  was  very  modest 
and  unassuming,  but  always  ready  for  the  Lord’s  work,  what¬ 
ever  it  might  be.  Her  whole  heart  has  been  in  her  mission 
work  in  Ningpo,  neve;'  for  a  moment  regretting  her  choice  of 
the  life  of  a  missionary.” 

In  the  Helping  Hand  of  February,  1879,  appeared  a  strong 
appeal,  for  a  teacher  to  take  charge  of  the  Girls’  school  at 
Ningpo.  This  school  was  established  in  1S60,  and  its  pupils 
were  orphans  or  destitute  girls,  who  were  given  entirely  to  the 
control  of  their  teachers.  Dr.  Lord’s  daughter  had  cared  for 
the  school,  till  her  return  to  the  United  States,  when  it  was 
left  in  charge  of  a  native  teacher,  under  the  supervision  of  Dr. 
Lord,  an  arrangement  which  had  proved  quite  unsatisfactory. 
In  answer  to  this  appeal  Miss  Flora  B.  Lightfoot  and  Miss 
Emma  Inveen  were  designated  to  Ningpo,  April  9,  1879. 

Farewell  services  were  held  in  connection  with  the  Semi- 

*1  .  *  W'  * 

Annual  Meeting  of  the  Society  at  Alton,  Ill.,  Oct.  22,  1879. 

On  the  15th  of  the  following  November,  they  sailed  from 
San  Francisco  beginning  then  that  intimate  Christian  fellow¬ 
ship,  which  will  ever  associate  these  two,  as  sisters  indeed  in 
the  minds  of  the  friends  in  the  home  land. 


8 


LIFE  IN  NINGPO. 

On  the  19th  of  December,  Misses  Lightfoot  and  Inveen, 
arrived  at  Ningpo,  which  was  henceforth  to  be  their  home, 
and  field  of  labor.  F or  the  history  of  the  ensuing  years  we 
are  entirely  dependent  upon  the  letters  and  reports  written  by 
M  iss  Lightfoot  and  her  associates. 

They  Spent  the  first  six  weeks  in  the  home  of  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Lord,  and  began  the  study  of  the  language  under  Dr.  Lord’s 
supervision.  They  then  removed  to  their  own  home  in  the 
same  compound,  and  very  near  to  the  school  which  was  to  be 
their  especial  charge.  Of  this  home,  we  find  the  following 
sketch,  “Our  house  is  a  nice  little  white  cottage,  very  pleas¬ 
antly  situated  near  the  river,  outside  the  city  wall.  We  have 
a  delightful  view  of  river,  plain  and  mountain.  Just  at  our 
back  gate,  is  a  canal  with  a  waterfall,  which  we  think  is  4  per¬ 
fectly  splendid.’  Our  ceilings  are  reasonably  high,  our  rooms 
pleasant,  pure  white  walls,  floors  covered  with  straw  matting, 
and  simple  furniture.  Our  rooms  are  bright  and  cheerful, 
and  we  are  happy.” 

Miss  Inveen  writes,  “I  know  we  shall  be  happy  in  our 
home,  and  hope  the  Lord  will  give  us  many  years  to  live  in 
it,  and  to  be  useful  among  this  people  of  whom  there  is  such 
a  vast  multitude,  in  so  great  need  of  light.  We  have  been 
studying  the  language,  with  Dr.  Lord,  so  far.  This  gives  us 
a  few  Words  to  start  with,  in  housekeeping  and  also  to  aid  us 
in  talking  to  our  native  teacher  with  whom  we  shall  soon 
begin  studying.  We  go  over  to  the  school  every  morning  to 
attend  prayers  in  Chinese.” 

In  a  letter  written  by  Mrs.  E.  C.  Lord,  dated  June  26, 1880, 


9 


we  find  a  bright  little  pen  picture  of  the  home  life  of  our  two 
young  friends.  “When  I  went  in  I  found  them  with  writing 
materials  trying  to  reply  to  some  of  the  numerous  letters  they 
had  received  in  the  morning.  I  can  assure  you  they  were 
happy  for  they  had  such  a  generous  mail.  Of  course  1  had  to 
enjoy  some  of  their  letters  with  them,  and  when  I  heard  the 
words  of  love,  sympathy,  and  sweet  encouragement,  they  had 
received  from  friends  at  home,  I  did  not  wonder  that  they 
were  so  delighted.  No  two  sisters  could  be  more  to  each 
other  than  they  seem  to  be.” 

The  following-  extracts  from  Miss  Lightfoot’s  letters  during 
this  first  year,  necessarily  given  to  the  acquisition  of  the  lan¬ 
guage  reveal  her  characteristic  hopefulness: 

“There  are  about  300,000  inhabitants  in  the  city  of  Ningpo, 
which  is  enclosed  by  a  massive  stone  wall,  overrun  with  moss 
and  ivy,  and  other  clinging  vines.  But  the  misery  and  degrada¬ 
tion  of  the  thousands  living  within  these  walls,  is  beyond  any 
attempt  at  description.  The  seed  of  truth  is  being  sown  here, 
however,  and  the  harvest  will  he  rich  in  gathered  sheaves. 
God’s  promises  are  sure,  and  cannot  fail.  One  needs  to  feel 
this  constantly,  or  faith  and  courage  would  falter.” 

“To-morrow  morning,  Miss  Inveen  and  I  go  with  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Goddard  to  visit  one  of  their  stations.  From  there  we 
go  to  the  country  to  spend  some  days,  having  arranged  to  go 
on  with  our  studies  during  our  absence  from  home.”  “Some¬ 
time  ago  we  went  to  the  island  of  Chusan,  and  were  away 
from  home  a  week.  It  was  an  instructive  trip  to  11s  in  many 
ways,  and  we  learned  quite  as  much  of  the  language,  as  we 
would  have  done  in  the  city.  Our  teacher  is  a  veritable 
heathen.  God  grant  that  he  may  be  brought  to  know  the 


10 


truth.  He  seems  greatly  interested  in  the  reading  of  the  New 
Testament.  We  are  having  quite  warm  weather.  It  is  the 
season  of  sunshine  and  flowers  with  us,  and  we  enjoy  the 
latter  exceedingly.  I  think  I  never  saw  a  lovelier  sight  than 
Dr.  Lord’s  grounds.  The  roses  run  over  the  broad  verandas —  • 
pure  white,  delicate  pink,  and  the  richest  crimson  form  perfect 
bowers.  Our  own  lawn  is  very  lovely,  and  we  are  happy  in 
the  prospect  of  working  here,  where  so  much  is  to  be  done. 
My  heart  is  full  of  hope  that  I  may  work  for  Jesus,  here,  for 
many  years.” — July  13,  18S0,  seven  months  after  her  arrival, 
Miss  Lightfoot  writes,  “Though  my  heart  yearns  for  home 
and  country  I  would  not  say  good-bye  to  this  held,  and  to  my 
hope  of  working  for  Jesus  here,  for  thousands  of  worlds  like 
this.  I  thank  God  every  day  for  placing  me  here.  I  enjoy 
the  study  of  the  language,  and  the  prospect  of  going  to  work 
soon.” 

We  glean  the  following  items,  in  regard  to  the  school:  “It 
has  been  in  operation  about  twenty  years.  During  that  time 
about  sixty  girls  have  been  connected  with  it.  This  seems 
but  a  small  number,  but  when  we  remember  the  conditions  on 
which  pupils  can  enter — that  there  can  be  710  foot-binding,  and 
the  parents  relinquish  the  right  to  betroth  the  girls — it 
becomes  a  grand  thing.  We  have  about  eighteen  girls  in 
school  at  present,  four  of  whom  are  Christians.” 

“The  building  is  brick  and  has  two  stories,  the  upper  one  of 
which  is  used  for  sleeping  rooms,  below  are  the  chapel, 
school-room  and  the  matron’s  room.  A  short  distance  from 
the  main  building  are  the  kitchen,  dining-room,  wash  house, 
etc.”  In  the  annual  report  for  1881,  we  find  that  the  board¬ 
ing  school  had  been  transferred  to  the  charge  of  Misses 


11 


Lightfoot  and  Inveen.  By  mutual  consent  Miss  Inveen 
became  the  head  of  the  school;  Miss  Lightfoot  though  shar¬ 
ing  her  duties  took  charge  of  outside  work,  and  both  were 
most  happy  in  their  work. 

Miss  Lightfoot  writes,  “The  days  and  weeks  do  go  so 
quickly,  in  busy  crowded  Ningpo,  and  we  have  to  leave  so 
much  undone  that  I  am  perplexed,  though  not  in  despair. 
We  study  with  increasing  interest  and  feel  that  God  has  led 
us  all  the  way,  and  that  He  will  be  our  strength  in  our  weak¬ 
ness.” 

In  the  same  tone  Miss  Inveen  writes,*  “We  have  been  in 
China  more  than  twelve  months,  and  housekeeping  in  our 
dear  little  home  one  year.  My  heart  is  tilled  with  thankful¬ 
ness  to  my  Heavenly  Father,  for  having  cast  my  lot  in  this 
far  off  eastern  land,  and  in  such  close  association  with  my  true 
and  noble  friend.  I  cannot  tell  in  words,  the  help  and 
strength  she  has  been  to  me.  I  thank  God  that  it  was  His 
will  that  I  should  come  to  Ningpo  with  Miss  Lightfoot.” 

M  iss  Lightfoot  reported  in  the  second  year  that  the  school 
numbered  twenty -two  pupils,  five  of  whom  were  Christians, 
she  writes,  “The  design  of  this  school  is  to  give  a  Christian 
education,  and  a  Christian  home  to  poor  children,  and  to 
rescue  them  from  heathenism  in  all  its  horrors,  and  take  them 
from  a  life  the  misery  and  hopelessness  of  which  is  indescrib¬ 
able,  to  lead  them  to  Jesus,  to  instill  into  them  right  princi¬ 
ples,  and  to  fit  them  for  leading  others  into  the  light.  We 
are  trying  week  by  week  as  we  gather  a  little  more  of  the 
language,  to  use  it  for  the  benefit  of  the  school.  For  the  last 
six  weeks  Miss  Inveen  has  conducted  the  review,  and  I  have 
taken  that  time  to  visit  from  house  to  house  with  my  Bible 


12 


women.  I  enjoy  that  work  very  much,  though  sometimes  it 
is  trying,  I  never  allow  myself  to  he  discouraged.” 

This  last  sentence  reveals  one  source  of  her  strength,  a 
courageous  spirit  that  always  sought  to  look  at  the  bright  side 
of  life.  Her  responsibilities  were  greatly  increased  during 
the  year  t8Si.  Mrs.  Goddard’s  day  school,  a  mile  and  a  half 
distant  from  her  home,  was  given  into  her  care  during  Mrs. 
Goddard’s  visit  to  America. — Miss  Lightfoot  had  developed 
such  fondness  for  children,  and  such  tact  in  managing  them, 
that  it  seemed  best  to  make  a  change  in  the  division  of  labor, 
and  she  now  assumed  the  charge  of  the  boarding  school,  while 
Miss  Inveen  took  the  entire  direction  of  the  Bible  women. 

In  a  letter  dated  February  io,  1882,  Miss  Lightfoot  speaks 
of  the  passing  months  as  being  both  happy  and  painful; 
“Happy,  because  I  cannot  help  being  so,  for  God  surely  knows 
just  the  way  in  which  my  life  may  best  be  made  to  serve 
Him.  Our  dear  Mrs.  Lord’s  death  is  a  sad  bereavement  to 
us.  Her  friendship  was  so  genuine  and  precious,  that  you 
will  not  wonder  that  I  write  of  painful  moments  also,  as 
being  mingled  with  the  happy  moments,  hut  God’s  precious 
promises  and  her  last  words,  ‘Almost  Home,’  drew  our 
thoughts  to  the  bright  home  above.  I  now  have  charge  of 
Mrs.  Goddard’s  schools  in  the  city,  and  also  that  of  our  board¬ 
ing  school.  I  visit  the  former  once  each  week,  and  examine 
the  pupils  in  the  lessons  learned  during  the  week.  I  also  have 
Mrs.  Goddard’s  class  of  women  in  the  city,  on  Sunday  after¬ 
noon  in  Sunday-school.  Thus  my  responsibilities  increase  as 
the  months  go  by — so  also,  does  the  love  and  presence  of  God 
become  dearer  and  closer  to  me.  The  yearning  felt  by  our 
missionaries  for  the  Christian  fellowship  of  their  friends  at 


13 


home,  is  expressed  in  the  closing  words  of  this  letter,  “I  love 
to  think  that  I  am  remembered  and  prayed  for.  I  feel  sure 
that  most  of  the  blessing  I  receive  is  owing  to  the  prayers  of 
Christians  in  my  native  -land.  I  trust  these  prayers  will  con¬ 
tinue  to  ascend,  until  we  meet  in  that  dear  home  ‘over  there.’ 
I  am  well  and  always  hopeful.” 

In  1SS2,  the  joy  of  harvest  was  given  this  faithful  teacher. 
Seven  of  the  boarding  school  girls  were  baptized  and  she 
could  sav  of  them  after  six  months:  I  have  no  reason  to  doubt 
their  conversion,  but  they  are  babes  in  Christ  and  need  to  be 
carefully  guided.  I  trust  they  will  live  to  glorify  God.” 

Miss  Lightfoot  heartily  believed  in  school  work  as  an 
efficient  evangelizing  force  in  missions,  as  the  following 
earnest  words  from  her  testify,  “  These  schools  are  a 
blessing  to  China.  I  heartily  wish  there  were  more  of  them, 
for  there  are  many  boys  and  girls  who  are  likely  to  grow  to 
manhood  and  womanhood  without  a  knowledge  of  God,  and 
unable  to  read  His  word.  If  hundreds  and  thousands  of  such 
children  could  be  rescued  and  placed  in  school  and  taught 
from  childhood  in  the  scriptures,  how  different  their  whole 
future  would  become.  Even  the  little  girls  in  the  day  school, 
go  to  their  homes  with  their  hearts  full  of  song  and  gladness, 
and  they  sing  for  Jesus.  The  one  bright  spot  I  find  in  those 
dark  homes,  as  I  visit  them  is  made  by  these  dear  girls  who 
sing  and  recite  their  scripture  verses  to  the  father  and  mother. 
No  longer  do  the  disciples  rebuke  them  who  would  bring  the 
little  children  to  Jesus  that  He  may  bless  them,  and  His  words 
‘suffer  them  to  come,’  have  sounded  down  through  the  ages, 
and  to  the  missionary  who  sees  the  contrast  between  the  foul 
and  degraded,  and  the  clean  sweet  faces  of  the  school  chil- 
dren,  they  come  with  wonderful  distinctness.” 


14 


With  increasing  command  of  the  language  new  forms  of 
work  were  undertaken — among  others,  visiting  from  house  to 
house.  Her  sympathy  with  the  wretched  lives  about  her, 
finds  expression  is  such  words  as  these,  “Poor  women,  men 
and  children,  they  seem  many  of  them  to  have  no  joy  in  this 
life,  and  know  of  none  beyond.” 

As  the  entire  responsibility  of  the  school  came  upon  Miss 
Lightfoot,  she  developed  more  and  more  those  qualifications 
of  a  successful  teacher — earnestness  and  enthusiastic  love  for 
the  work.  We  find  her  studying  the  characteristics  of  her 
pupils  that  she  might  better  know  how  to  deal  wisely  and 
helpfully  with  each. 

The  underlying  motive  expressed  in  the  words,  uMy  desire 
is  to  train  these  girls  for  God’s  service,”  is  evident  in  every 
letter.  In  simple  faith  she  looked  to  her  Heavenly  Father 
for  guidance.  Under  date  of  Jan.  9,  1884,  she  writes,  “About 
seven  months  ago,  I  began  a  prayer  meeting  with  my  Chris¬ 
tian  girls.  One  Thursday  afternoon  after  lessons  were  done, 
I  told  them  that  on  the  next  Thursday  we  would  read  all  the 
passages  in  the  New  Testament  relating  to  prayer.  They 
searched  for  these  with  lively  interest.  When  the  day  came 
I  read  the  passages  they  gave  me,  and  some  others  besides. 
So  thoughtful  were  the  girls  while  I  read,  that  I  was  encour¬ 
aged  to  begin  the  prayer  meeting  at  once.  I  called  upon  one 
after  another,  until  nearly  all  had  taken  part.  They  seemed 
delighted  when  I  told  them  we  would  have  such  a  meeting 
every  Thursday  after  lessons  were  finished.  I  hope  the 
Christians  at  home  will  pray  that  all  my  girls  may  become 
true  witnesses  for  Christ.”  Miss  Lightfoot  continued  to  care 
for  Mrs.  Goddard’s  school  until  her  return.  During  18S3, 


15 


two  new  schools  were  opened  through  her  efforts.  One  at 
Liao  so,  beginning  with  three  little  girls,  placed  in  charge  of 
the  pastor’s  wife,  a  former  pupil  of  the  boarding  school.  The 
other  was  at  the  South  Gate  of  the  city  a  little  day  school  for 
girls,  consisting  of  thirteen  pupils,  was  also  under  the  care  of 
a  former  pupil  in  the  boarding  school.  Of  the  year’s  work, 
she  writes,  “I  am  happy,  and  love  my  work  and  my  home 
which  God  has  so  abundantly  blessed.” 

June  18,  1884,  Miss  Lightfoot. was  married  to  Dr.  Lord, 
who  had  been  a  missionary  at  Ningpo  in  the  service  of  the 
Missionary  Union,  since  1847.  Calm,  clear-headed  and  conser¬ 
vative,  every  one  respected  his  judgment.  At  one  time  he 
represented  his  country  as  United  States  Consul  at  this  port. 
As  a  missionary  his  later  years  were  almost  entirely  devoted  to 
the  departments  of  education  and  translation.  Just  before  her 
marriage  Miss  Lightfoot  wrote,  “Dr.  Lord  is  so  strong,  so 
helpful,  I  am  sure  I  do  not  expect  to  do  less  work,  because  I 
am  to  be  his  wife.  His  noble  life  causes  me  continually  to 
desire  to  be  wiser  and  better.  I  feel  that  the  gift  of  his  pure, 
true  love  is  from  heaven,  and  my  heart  responds  with  its 
warmest  love.” 

This  union  proved  peculiarly  happy  notwithstanding  the 
considerable  disparity  of  years.  She  continued  to  watch  over 
and  Dbor  for  her  pupils  after  her  marriage  with  unchanged 
affection. 

In  1884,  Mrs.  Lord  reported  that  there  were  thirty-one 
girls  in  the  boarding  school;  the  prayer  meeting  had  been 
continued,  and  although  there  were  no  new  cases  of  conver¬ 
sion,  yet  the  marked  growth  in  grace  of  her  Christian  pupils 
gladdened  her  heart. 


16 


The  day  school  at  the  South  Gate  numbered  seventeen 
pupils  in  attendance,  no  one  of  whom  has  one  Christian  rela¬ 
tive.  Her  report  closes  with  this  appeal,  “Let  us  beseech  the 
Lord  to  save  these  girls  and  make  them  instrumental  in  sav¬ 
ing  others.  I  ask  you  again  to  pray  for  me  that  I  may  have 
more  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  my  heart  to  guide  in  all  my  plans 
and  in  all  my  work.”  During  the  riot  in  1884,  Mrs.  Stott’s 
school  house  fell  a  prey  to  the  rioters.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stott 
of  the  China  Island  Mission,  after  considering  many  expe¬ 
dients  and  asking  direction  from  above,  made  an  appeal  to 
Mrs.  Lord  to  receive  the  fourteen  homeless  girls  until  a  new 
building  could  be  erected.  At  great  inconvenience  she  cheer¬ 
fully  made  room  for  them,  and  for  six  months  the  added  care 
of  these  precious  souls  came  upon  her.  The  year  1885  was 
very  busy  and  eventful.  In  a  letter  dated  April  28,  1SS5,  she 
mentions  the  death  of  one  of  the  boarding  girls  who  had  been 
with  her  only  one  year.  Though  she  had  not  publicly  con¬ 
fessed  faith  in  Christ  yet  there  was  evidence  of  a  renewed 
heart.  She  mentions  also  the  departure  for  Wang  Chow  of 
the  fourteen  girls  who  had  been  under  her  care.  We  cjuote 
from  a  letter  of  June  25,  “In  looking  after  these  little  lambs, 
and  watching  them  day  by  day,  I  have  been  led  into  some 
very  sweet  nooks  of  the  green  pasture.  My  heart  has  been 
full  to  overflowing  with  enjoyment  in  my  work.  Two  of 
the  girls  have  been  married,  and  have  been  for  two  months  in 
their  new  homes.”  Thus  the  circle  of  her  influence  widened, 
as  those  who  had  been  so  carefully  trained  found  homes  in 
new  fields.  Of  one  of  these  girls,  she  says,  “She  is  sure  to  be 
a  blessing.”  Later,  she  writes,  “One  of  them  is  very  earnest 
in  efforts  to  do  good.  She  writes  me,  that  she  prays  for  cour- 


17 


/ 

age,  and  every  evening  gathers  the  heathen  together  at  her 
house  and  teaches  them  the  Bible.”  The  places  made  vacant 
in  the  school  by  these  changes  were  soon  filled.  Mrs.  Lord 
recounts  her  blessings  in  these  cheery  words,  “I  write  to  let 
you  know  that  my  new  relations  do  not  in  any  degree  hinder 
my  work.  I  have  much  to  be  thankful  for.  I  keep  so  well 
and  have  such  joy  in  my  work,  and  the  happiest  of  happy, 
sweet  homes.”  The  testimony  of  a  missionary  of  one  of  the 
far  inland  stations  gave  her  great  encouragement.  He  says, 
“We  have  one  worker  who  was  formerly  in  Mrs.  Lord’s 
boarding  school.  She  is  the  best  worker  I  ever  saw,  man  or 
woman.  She  is  a  Bible  woman,  Colporteur,  Evangelist,  all 
in  one.” 

In  the  annual  report  for  this  year  Mrs.  Lord  says  concern¬ 
ing  her  day  school  at  the  South  Gate,  “It  is  full  of  interest  to 
me.  It  is  a  privilege  to  gather  children  from  their  wretched 
heathen  homes,  and  teach  them  to  read  the  Bible,  and  tell 
them  of  God’s  love  for  them.  I  am  sure  they  cannot  return 
home  and  be  just  what  they  were  before,  for  now  they  have 
something  to  think  and  talk  and  pray  about.  I  do  so  enjoy 
working  for  these  people.”  In  October,  1885,  another  of  her 
pupils  died,  a  girl  of  thirteen.  She  was  a  Christian  and  was 
willing  to  go  and  dwell  with  her  Savior  forever.  So  in  the 
changes  that  came  to  her  dear  girls,  she  had  hope,  assured 
that  they  in  passing  out  from  her  care,  either  entered  the 
Heavenly  home  or  went  into  spheres  of  usefulness  in  the  new 
earthly  homes. 

In  one  of  her  letters  she  refers  to  her  methods  of  teaching 
thus,  “In  school  the  pupils  are  hourly  taught  about  Jesus.  I 
f,each  only  Bible  and  Scripture  catechism  in  my  day  school, 


18 


While  I  have  these  little  immortal  souls  intrusted  to  me,  I 
must  give  them  the  real  food.  In  the  boarding  school  where 
I  have  the  advantage  of  having  them  so  much  longer,  I  feel 
the  importance  of  Geography,  Arithmetic,  Physiology,  and 
the  classics,  but  here  the  Bible  is  the  only  text  book.” 

There  are  other  advantages  which  belong  to  the  girls 
privileged  to  become  pupils  in  the  boarding  school  at 
Ningpo.  Christian  influences  are  about  them  at  all  times, 
and  owing  to  the  firmness  of  those  having  it  in  charge, 
the  rules  of  admission  forbid  the  practice  of  footbinding. 
Concerning  this  cruel  native  custom,  in  connection  with  her 
work,  Mrs.  Lord  writes,  “One  week  from  to-morrow,  the 
Chinese  New  Year  begins,  and  preparations  are  now  being 
made  for  it.  On  the  first  day  no  one  works,  and  the  city 
streets  thronged  at  other  times  with  coolies  and  peddlars — are 
quiet,  so  that  one  can  walk  through  the  city  with  comfort. 
Many  of  the  wealthier  Chinese  keep  their  business  houses 
closed  the  first  five  days,  but  the  poorer  can  take  only  one  day 
for  rest  or  gambling,  as  the  case  may  be.  We  are  likely  to 
have  a  good  many  calls  during  the  first  five  days,  and  will 
have  to  give  considerable  time  to  them.  Our  teacher  has 
asked  me  to  take  for  my  theme  of  conversation  those  days,  the 
evils  of  footbinding.  He  says,  “  Talk  to  the  women  about  it, 
read  to  them  from  God’s  own  word,  and  prove  how  wrong  it 
is.”  He  claims  that  there  are  many  texts  directly  opposing 
the  practice.  It  is  a  little  amusing  to  have  him  point  them 
out.  One  (James  2:  15.)  For  he  shall  have  judgment  with¬ 
out  mercy,  that  hath  shown  no  mercy.  He  says  there  is  no 
mercy  in  footbinding.  The  Sixth  Commandment  too,  he 
says,  is  against  it  for  in  binding,  the  foot  is  killed.  When 


19 


God  said,  “Thou  shalt  not  kill,”  He  did  not  mean  that  any 
part  of  the  body  might  be  killed.  Another  passage  Eph.  6:4, 
“And  ye  fathers  provoke  not  your  children  to  wrath,”  he  says 
is  positive  proof  that  it  is  wrong,  for  every  time  a  child’s  foot 
is  bound  it  is  provoked  to  wrath.  This  is  true,  and  a  very 
painful  sight  it  is  to  see  a  poor  child  struggling  and  pleading 
for  freedom  which  it  can  never  have  again.  The  mother  does 
not  seem  to  hear  the  agonized  cries  of  the  little  sufferer,  and 
the  work  goes  on.  It  is  a  cruel,  cruel  custom,  and  is 
practiced  in  Ningpo,  among  all  classes.  Our  boarding  school 
girls  only  being  exempt  from  it,  of  course  we  cannot  control 
that  matter  with  the  day  scholars  as  they  are  not  bound  to  us, 
and  they  all  have  bound  feet.” 

In  June,  1886,  Miss  Inveen  was  obliged  to  return  to  Amer¬ 
ica  on  account  of  her  health.  These  dear  sisters,  had  been  so 
joined  in  the  work  that  the  separation  was  painful  for  both, 
Mrs.  Lord,  writes,  “I  miss  my  dear  friend,  many  miss  her,  the 
natives  as  well  as  ourselves  who  have  known  and  loved  her 
so  long.  It  is  needless  to  say  how  much  I  hope  she  will  get 
well  and  strong  and  return  soon  to  her  work.  May  God  keep 
her  in  perfect  peace,  and  guide  her  in  all  her  ways.” 

Mrs.  Lord’s  annual  report  for  1 S86— 7,  is  of  special  interest 
because  it  was  her  last  completed  year  of  service.  “I  com¬ 
mence  my  annual  report  with  the  thought,  ‘What  shall  1  ren¬ 
der  unto  the  Lord  for  all  His  benefits  toward  me?’  I  recall 
the  many  sick  days  when  my  work  woiild  drag.  But  it 
pleased  Him  to  restore  my  wasted  strength,  and  the  year  has 
been  full  of  work.  Eight  girls  are  in  my  school  who  were 
here  when  I  came  to  China  seven  years  ago.  These  have  all 
been  converted  since  then,  and  all  who  were  Christians  before 
I  came  have  left.  There  are  four  others  who  are  church 


20 


members,  making  twelve  in  ail,  besides  several  realfconverts 
among  the  children.  One  little  one  of  the  South  Gate  scholars 
died.  During  her  illness  she  constantly  repeated  the  Ten 
Commandment  Tract,  which  in  addition  to  the  command¬ 
ments  contains  the  plan  of  salvation  clear  and  full,  and  some 
prayers  for  the  Holy  Spirit.  Her  heathen  mother  says  she 
would  say  these  over  from  morning  till  night,  and  from  night 
till  morning.” 

The  few  letters  from  which  we  glean  the  record  of  the 
closing  months  of  service  are  filled  with  expressions  of  un¬ 
abated  interest  in  the  work.  March  21,  1887,  she  writes,  “My 
school  is  well  filled  with  young  ladies,  girls  and  children,  to 
whom  I  must  be  mother  as  well  as  teacher.”  This  maternal 
solicitude  and  watch  care  over  her  pupils  was  perhaps  the 
secret  of  her  great  success.  Her  letters  of  July  5  and  14,  are 
filled  with  the  glad  record  of  fruitage.  “My  husband  baptized 
seven  of  my  dear  girls  last  Sunday.  I  wish  you  could  have 
seen  their  faces  when  they  came  from  the  water,  and  I  wish 
you  could  hear  them  pray.  Dear  girls,  they  asked  me  a  few 
days  before  they  were  baptized  to  have  a  prayer  meeting  with 
them  alone.  This  1  did.  Each  one  prayed  and  the  presence 
of  the  Spirit  was  felt  so  sensibly,  that  when  I  left  them,  I 
could  only  go  to  my  room  and  cry  to  God  in  praise  and 
thanksgiving.  Pray  for  these  dear  girls.” 

Again  she  writes,  “My  heart  is  full  of  hope  for  their  Chris¬ 
tian  life.  I  do  think  the  future  will  show  that  there  are 
workers  among  them.” 

The  20th  of  June  of  this  year  was  the  fortieth  anniversary 
of  Dr.  Lord’s  arrival  at  Ningpo.  The  event  was  celebrated 
at  the  house  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Goddard.  Twenty-four  mis- 


21 


sionaries  were  present  by  invitation  including1  all  the  Episco¬ 
palian,  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  missionaries  located  in 
Ningpo.  The  dates  ’47-’ 87,  were  in  beautiful  letters  made  of 
evergreen  on  the  wall.  Many  hearty  wishes  were  expressed 
that  Dr.  Lord  might  be  spared  for  many  years  before  laying 
aside  the  armor,  and  receiving  the  crown.  With  wifely  pride 
Mrs.  Lord  reports  some  of  the  kindly  words  of  appreciation 
and  love,  which  were  spoken  and  written  by  his  fellow 
laborers. 

Dr.  Barchet  said,  “Dr.  Lord  needs  no  monument  ever  to  be 
erected  for  him.  The  churches  he  has  established  in  this 
heathen  land,  and  the  books  he  has  translated  are  a  fitting 
monument.” 

THE  CLOSING  SCENE. 

The  ensuing  months  were  darkened  by  the'  presence  and 
ravages  of  the  dread  pestilence.  Cholera  of  a  virulent  type 
broke  out  early  in  the  summer  and  continued  till  the  end  of 
September.  A  number  of  the  native  Christians  died.  The 
violence  of  the  epidemic  will  be  understood  by  the  statement 
of  Dr.  Barchet,  who  says  that  out  of  a  little  company  of  fifty 
native  Christians  eleven  died,  which  was  at  the  rate  of  220  for 
every  1,000  inhabitants.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Lord  were  both  attacked 
by  the  dread  disease,  September  13,  1887.  Mrs.  Lord  died  on 
the  fifteenth,  while  her  husband  lingered  until  the  seven¬ 
teenth.  Seeing  death  so  near  she  was  quite  resigned  to  the 
will  of  God.  During  the  progress  of  the  disease  the  physician 
thought  it  best  not  to  acquaint  either  of  the  critical  state  of  the 
other.  Mrs.  Lord  did  not  know  of  her  husband’s  illness,  nor 
did  he  ever  know  of  her  death.  “It  is  a  comfort  to  surviving 


22 


friends,”  says  Dr.  Goddard,  “that  they  were  spared  the  pang 
of  an  earthly  parting,  what  a  happy  surprise  to  each  it  must 
have  been  on  entering  the  heavenly  home  to  meet  the  other 
there.” 

“And  I  said  in  under  breath 
All  our  life  is  mixed  with  death, 

And  who  knowetli  which  is  best? 

And  I  smiled  to  think  God’s  greatness 
Flows  around  our  incompleteness, 

Round  our  restlessness  His  rest.” 

Miss  Inveen  had  reached  Yokohama  on  her  return  to 
Ningpo,  before  hearing  the  sad  news  of  Mrs.  Lord’s  death. 
In  a  letter  to  a  friend,  she  writes,  “To  me  whose  life  was  so 
closely  bound  and  interwoven  with  hers,  the  blow  of  her 
death  has  come  with  heaviest  force.  I  feel  all  the  time  that 
a  part  of  myself  has  been  taken  from  me.  With  this  news 
half  the  joy  of  returning  home  was  extinguished,  and  I  was 
like  one  in  a  dream.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Lord  not  there!  Surely 
there  is  some  mistake,  but  alas!  each  day  only  verifies  the  sad 
fact.  Many  times  a  day  I  think  of  something  I  must  tell  her 
or  consult  her  about,  and  it  seems  certain  that  she  is  at  the 
other  house,  that  I  need  only  run  over  knock  at  the  gate  and 
go  in,  to  meet  her  smiling  and  happy.  Then  I  am  suddenly 
brought  to  myself  and  I  know  that  she  is  indeed  in  her  home, 
but  it  is  her  eternal  home.  Upon  those  who  remain  must  fall 
the  burden  and  care  left  by  those  who  have  gone  up  higher.” 

We  find  the  following  in  the  In  Memoriam,  read  at  the 
annual  meeting  in  Omaha: 

“In  July,  Ningpo  was  bright  with  joyful  memories  and  all 
were  showing  honor  to  Dr.  Lord,  who,  for  forty  years  had 
lived  there  as  an  embassador  of  the  King  of  kings.  In  Sep- 


23 


tember  there  arose  from  every  heart  a  cry  of  sorrow.  Anni¬ 
versary  joyousness  and  the  funeral  procession  walked  almost 
side  by  side';  and  now  we  see  4  a  green  grave  washed  by  a 
foreign  wave,’ — an  empty  home — and  lonely  Chinese  children 
sitting  in  silent  grief  as  they  gaze  up  to  the  blue  sky,  longing 
for  the  kind  mother-teacher,  who  has  left  them.  4God  bless 
the  missionaries  of  cheerfulness 7  and  enthusiasm.  These  im¬ 
portant  characteristics  were  possessed  in  marked  degree  by 
Mrs.  Lord,  a  sunny  face,  a  cheery  heart  brought  gladness 
everywhere. 

‘  She  had  marvellous  gift  to  cull 
From  common  life  and  dull, 

Whate’er  is  beautiful.’ 

“To  the  children  in  her  school,  Mrs.  Lord  showed  almost  a 
mother’s  love,  nursing  them  in  sickness,  watching  over  their 
daily  life,  correcting  their  faults  and  leading  them  to  a  per¬ 
sonal  communion  with  the  Master  she  served.” 

We  close  our  sketch  with  the  loving  tribute  of  Miss  Inveen, 
who  from  her  intimate  acquaintance  with  our  beloved  sister  is 
peculiarly  fitted  to  testify  to  her  worth. 

Ningpo,  China,  July  26,  1888. 

“You  ask  me  to  write  an  estimate  of  Mrs.  Lord’s  mission 
work.  I  wonder  if  I  can  give  anything  like  a  just  account  of 
it.  It  seems  so  fraught  with  blessing  that  I  hesitate  to  lay  my 
pen  to  the  task.  The  most  telling  witnesses  to  her  labors  of 
love  are  in  the  lives  of  the  Chinese  girls  she  so  truly  loved, 
and  for  whom  she  prayed  and  labored  with  her  whole  heart. 

“A  copy  of  some  resolutions  she  wrote  a  few  months  after 
her  arrival  in  Ningpo  will  give  an  insight  into  the  motives  of 
her  life,  the  hidden  springs  of  her  actions. 


24 


March  30,  1880. 

‘O,  Father  in  Heaven  help  me  to  do  Thy  will,  help  me  to 
live  nea r  Thee,  and  oh!  make  each  moment  of  my  life 
redound  to  Thy  glory.  For  Jesus’  sake  teach  me  to  love 
Thee  more  and  more ,  and  help  me,  I  pray  Thee  to  live  a  purer 
life,  a  life  more  like  Christ’s.  Help  me  in  all  things  to  desire 
far  above  all  else,  the  glory  of  God.  Help  me  in  the  rules  I 
write  here,  help  me  that  I  fail  not. 

1.  To  act  from  principle  and  not  from  emotion,  God  help 
me  for  Jesus’ sake. 

2.  To  use  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge  and  ability  every 
moment  of  my  time. 

3.  To  trust  in  the  Lord  at  all  times.  Help  me  Father,  keep 
me  near  Thee,  and  use  me  as  Thou  seest  best. 

4.  To  undertake  nothing  without  first  asking  divine  aid,  to 

begin  on  no  day  without  prayer  for  God’s  blessing  on  my 
efforts  and  prayers  for . 

5.  To  pray  daily  for  the  advancement  of  Christ’s  cause,  at 
home,  and  for  the  advancement  here  of  his  wondrous  mighty 
power  to  save.  I  pray  for  the  missionaries  and  the  work,  and 
for  the  school  and  the  poor  heathen.  God  help  me  to  spend 
my  life  for  Thee.  Help  me  for  Jesus’  sake.’ 

“In  addition  to  the  deep  seated  desire  to  work  and  live  for 
the  glory  of  God  she  was  very  jealous  for  the  Lord  of  Hosts, 
and  quick  to  ascribe  to  Him  all  the  glory  of  the  work.  She 
was  conscientious  to  the  utmost  and  always  reliable.  She  was 
exceedingly  careful  in  quoting  other  people’s  words;  and  her 
love  for  her  friends  knew  no  bounds  even  though  that  love 
was  sometimes  severely  tried.  Her  nature  was  deep  and 
strong,  and  whatever  she  undertook  she  threw  into  it  her 


25 


whole  soul,  and  yet  with  all  her  caution  acted  as  a  balance 
wheel.  From  her  first  acquaintance  with  the  work,  her  heart 
went  out  in  pity  for  and  desire  to  help  the  children.  The 
desire  coupled  with  the  ability  to  successfully  work  for  the 
children  was  deep  rooted  in  her  nature.  She  believed  the 
souls  of  the  little  ones  to  be  very  precious  in  God’s  sight. 
The  “every  creature”  in  our  Savior’s  last  command  to  her  in¬ 
cluded  children  as  well  as  adults,  and  she  believed  the  Lord 
was  as  willing  to  convert  the  little  ones,  as  grown  up  men  and 
women.  Her  chief  work  in  Ningpo  was  the  ‘Girls’  boarding 
school.’  She  had  also  a  day  school  and  in  the  absence  of 
other  missionaries  from  the  field,  cared  for  other  work  than 
her  own,  and  always  with  a  whole  heartedness  and  conscien¬ 
tious  faithfulness  which  assured  those  for  whom  she  was  sub¬ 
stituting  that  the  work  was  well  done,  and  the  helpers  were 
not  being  drawn  away  from  their  old  employers.  She  was 
careful  whatever  she  did  to  so  work  as  to  make  it  easy  for  her 
successors.  In  this  matter  her  forsight  stood  her  in  good 
stead.  Having  entered  into  some  of  her  labors  I  can  testify 
to  her  success  in  this  respect.  Under  her  firm,  wise,  and 
loving  management  the  boarding  school  was  always  pros¬ 
perous,  the  number  of  girls  doubling  during  the  time  she  had 
charge. 

“In  answer  to  her  fervent  prayers  and  earnest  efforts  twenty- 
two  girls  became  disciples  of  Jesus,  two  of  whom  preceded 
her  to  the  home  above,  before  they  put  on  Christ  by  baptism. 
The  others  are  all  living  earnest  Christians,  some  are  married 
and  are  set  as  lights  among  their  people;  others  are  still  in 
school  where  they  are  becoming  rooted  and  grounded  in  the 
faith.  Her  interest  in  the  poor  neglected  children  of  the  day 


26 


n 


schools  was  very  deep,  and  while  a  great  many  more  obstacles 
stood  in  the  way  of  these  little  ones  becoming  the  followers  of 
Christ,  yet  her  faith  was  able  to  surmount  them  all.  Her 
convictions  and  consequent  practice  led  to  a  revolution  in  the 
opinions  of  some  of  the  workers  in  regard  to  work  among  the 
children.  And  I  think  it  will  be  many  a  day  ere  we  shall  see 
the  end  of  her  good  influence  in  this  direction.  The  worth 
of  such  a  life  who  can  estimate.” 


